September 25, 2021
1. Do you have one or more online trading or investment accounts?
Yes, I have one or more accounts that I access both online using a computer and using a mobile app.
2. If your response to Question 1 is Yes, do you think you would trade or invest if you could not do so online using a computer or using a mobile app?
Yes
3. On average, how often do you access your online account?
Once to a few times a week
4. On average, how often are trades made in your online account, whether by you or someone else?
Once to a few times a week.
5. If you access your account online, did you have the account first, and only began to access it electronically later? Or did you open the account with the idea that you would access it electronically immediately?
I downloaded an app or visited a website first, and then opened up an account with the company
6. My goals for trading or investing in my online account are (check all that apply):
Save and grow my money for short-term goals (in the next year or two)
Save and grow my money for medium- to long-term goals
7. What would you like us to know about your experience with the features of your online trading or investment platform? (Examples of features are: social networking tools games, streaks, or contests with prizes points, badges, and leaderboards notifications celebrations for trading visual cues, like changing colors ideas presented at order placement or other curated lists or features subscription and membership tiers or chatbots.)
Gameification is not the issue. Enforcing laws as they are written is the issue. That is not being done.
8. If you were trading or investing prior to using an online account, how have your investing and trading behaviors changed since you started using your online account? (For example, the amount of money you have invested, your interest in learning about investing and saving for retirement, the amount of time you have spent trading, your knowledge of financial products, the number of trades you have made, the amount of money you have made in trading, your knowledge of the markets, the number of different types of financial products you have traded, or your use of margin.)
Since I started investing, my interest for learning has increased. I have learned about the markets, how big players break the rules, and how the SEC does nothing that it is supposed to do. It is shameful. If laws are not enforced equally, then we do not have a 'free' market. The few laws that are enforced require only minor penalties/fees. This invites those in violation of these laws to chronically repeat the offenses.
9. How much experience do you have trading or investing in the following products (None, 12 months, 1-2 years, 2-5 years, 5+ years):
Stocks : 5+ Years
Bonds : 5+ Years
Options : Less Than 12 Months
Mutual Funds : 5+ Years
ETFs : 5+ Years
Futures : None
Cryptocurrencies : 1-2 Years
Commodities : None
ClosedEnd Funds : None
Money Market Funds : Less Than 12 Months
Variable Insurance Products : None
Business Development Companies : None
Unit Investment Trusts : None
10. What is your understanding, if any, of the circumstances under which trading or investing in your account can be suspended or restricted?
My understanding was that the U.S. market was a free market and that trading should not be suspended or restricted because a broker didn't have the liquidity in a certain situation. Furthermore, I was under the assumption that the SEC was created to protect investors and maintain a 'fair' market. I now know that neither of these things are true.
11. What else would you like us to know positive or negative - about your experience with online trading and investing?
The SEC needs to stand up an do what is right. The SEC needs to stop working for the 1% and start to standing up for all market participants equally. The world is watching. Everyone sees the unequal treatment and is losing faith in our 'free' market.